Thalspy: Genie

Thalspy's Genie is a radio-controlled, motorised build using a Futaba Skysport 6 transmitter with Roboteq AX2550 motor controller. Thalspy says, "pictures don't really do her justice as she's at her best when in motion". You can see a video of the her in action here.

Based on a 1970s 'Genesis' Dalek, Genie has many features which are authentic to that era. Particular attention has been paid to the details such as the size of the gap between the dome and upper neck ring and the slightly bent gun rods, which are quite correct, but rarely replicated by builders.

How it was done

Here is an early shot of the neck bin with eyestalk assembly. You can see the servo motor and gearbox. It is a 'hacked' Futaba servo (made to run continuously) and hobby-type gearbox. The assembly is linked to the stalk via a control rod similar to those used to control model-aeroplane elevators.

Dome rotation is controlled by a 12V electric screwdriver motor that is controlled by a 12v bi-directional speed controller. A second Futaba servo (in normal operation) operates the potentiometer to the speed controller. The motor sits just below the top of the neck bin.

It took about four months to design and build the motorised base section and cost about £1000. The chassis was made from 1" box section steel and 0.5" box section steel for the cross members.

The Roboteq AX2550 can be connected to a PC for programming the motor's power, deceleration ramps and joystick calibration. It can also be controlled via software, with input from sensors such as motion detectors and infrared, so there are possibilities for a fully autonomous Dalek!